“Hi,” she said in response.
“Come on in.” I looked up to see him eyeing her from head to toe as she entered.
Okay, so she was a knockout. Tall, long dark hair that fell to the center of her back, and legs that went on for miles. Any guy would fantasize about those wrapped around his waist. And if they didn’t, then they were obviously batting for the other team. But she was superficial; I picked up on that almost instantly. High maintenance girls were too much work, and I didn’t have time to put in the hours.
“I was actually hoping I could talk to Zack,” she said, which caused me to take my focus off her legs and meet her stare.
“Me?” I asked.
Again Rigdon gleamed at her side. His earlier comment about her and me hooking up made him smug.
“Yeah, I think there are some things you need to know. Things Lindsay lied to you about.” She took another step in my direction and suddenly the cereal I was holding turned my stomach.
I leaned forward and sat it on the table between us and waited for her to take a seat by my side. Her appearance was less put together today than it had been last night. She actually looked as if she just rolled out of bed and threw on a pair of shorts and t-shirt.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“She and I have a little bit of negative history,” she began. “First and foremost, I want you to see something.” She pulled something from her back pocket and held it out for me to take.
It was her license.
I looked up in confusion. “Why do I need to see this?”
“Look at the birthdate,” she insisted.
“So what?” I said as I gave it back to her.
“I wanted you to know that I turn twenty next month,” she replied.
I was real fucking confused as to where this conversation was going. What the hell did her age have to do with anything?
I was just about to ask her when she offered me another ID.
“What is all this about?” I asked.
“Just look, please.” She pushed the ID closer, and it was then I noticed the picture was of Lindsay.
I took the license from her and smiled when I got a better look. She looked younger in this photo, but those big green eyes of hers stared back at me.
“Look at the birthdate,” Haven whispered.
I looked up at her, expecting to see some smugness or catty bitchiness girls get when they are trying to outdo one another, but was surprised to find sympathetic eyes watching me.
“I’m sorry she lied to you, but I thought you should know the truth,” she whispered.
Without saying anything I looked at the license once again and my mouth grew dry. Lindsay was only seventeen years old. She’d lied to me.
“She did the same thing to Corbin, my ex,” Haven spoke at my side, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off the ID. “She pretended to be in college, and then after they hooked up the truth came out. It was a mess and I just thought you needed to know before things went that far.”
I nodded my head as the anger began to boil within me. Thoughts of getting in trouble for statutory rape made a sick feeling settle in my stomach.
I had worked hard to get where I was, and now it could all come to an end because of one girl.
“I appreciate you letting me know,” I said as I stood from the couch and handed her the license.
After she took it I walked away without saying another word. I ignored Rigdon’s concerned look as I pushed past him.
My fucking head was spinning as I paced my room. Part of me wanted to confront Lindsay and ask her what the hell kind of game she was playing, and the other part, the more sensible one, wanted to pack my shit and leave early.
And that was the part that won.
I began grabbing things from drawers and the closet and stuffing them into my duffle bag. Somewhere deep inside I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t stay here, not now. I had to get the fuck out of here and hope that I hadn’t allowed my dick to get me in trouble.
***
I could feel her, before I even saw her.
My back was to the beach as I threw my bag in the trunk.
“You’re leaving?” I closed my eyes tightly as the sound of her sweet voice felt like a kick to the stomach.
I didn’t want to be angry. I didn’t want to cause a scene, but the idea that her lies and the games she played were enough to fuck my future. That alone infuriated me.
“Without saying goodbye?” The hurt in her voice was evident.
When I turned to face her and she flinched, I knew my anger was obvious.
“Yeah, without saying goodbye.” I reached out and slammed the trunk without taking my eyes off hers. “You fucking lied to me, Lindsay. Do you understand at all how much trouble I could get into? I could go to jail for having sex with a minor and the only thing you’re worried about is me saying goodbye.”